Every state requires high school students to take a US History survey course. For the makers of the SAT Subject Test, every event, every President, every person of note is of equal importance and equally likely to show up on the examination. If I were a college admissions director I would want an assessment that sought to tease out a young person’s sense of what it means to be an engaged citizen, not how many facts they know about President James Garfield.

Students sit in the test-taking room, with full access to computers and wireless connections. As they work on national exams, they can be seen accessing the internet from time to time. Are the results from this testing going to be corrupted because these test-takers are not isolated from global information resources? Cheating — or high-tech cheating, as it is called today — what is that exactly? And is it really a problem? Do our old-school definitions of cheating need rethinking?

My teaching mission is simple yet absolutely necessary to helping my students prepare for their futures. I began this school year with a list of questions that could help me envision, plan, reflect and maintain focus on where my students and I needed to be when the last bell rings in late May. Out of my personal questioning and reflection came what would be the essential question for my 11th grade social studies students during our time together: “What does it mean to be a citizen nationally, globally and digitally?”

What can we do, as administrators, to promote teacher learning on a daily basis? How can we structure our organizations to allow for collaboration and communication among peers, embed opportunities for both face-to-face and online learning, help our teachers stay informed and familiar with current research and practices (in content, pedagogy, and technology), model for them that we ourselves are growing professionally, and help the organization as a whole realize that complacency must be eradicated?

I’m a little reluctant to follow the popular annual tradition of announcing a “Top 10″ — mostly because I’ve read every one of the 100+ articles we’ve posted since our March launch. Whatever the click counts, I know how much great content we have to share, written by a remarkable cross-section of creative and visionary educators. Still, a colleague assures me that Top 10 lists are a good way for folks to sample the product and become regular readers. Reason enough. And I’m sure you won’t mind if I add a few extra!

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Testimonials

Marsha Ratzel, Leawood Middle School, Kansas

This community thinks deeply about Problem Based Learning, student centered learning, making the shift to being a connected teacher and inquiry learning. There are lots of practical ideas that someone can take away and immediately apply in the classroom. If you don't know anything, it's a good place to get started.

2013-02-20T17:14:05+00:00

This community thinks deeply about Problem Based Learning, student centered learning, making the shift to being a connected teacher and inquiry learning. There are lots of practical ideas that someone can take away and immediately apply in the classroom. If you don’t know anything, it’s a good place to get started.

http://plpnetwork.com/testimonials/lots-practical-ideas/

Mary Rearick, Professor at Eastern Michigan University

The PLP team has done a wonderful job drawing on theory, research, and evidence-based best practice and in creating a framework for professional development for educators. The sequencing of the learning experiences enable participants to build capacity as well as trust, focus on authentic learning projects, and communicate and share work.

2013-02-20T17:14:47+00:00

The PLP team has done a wonderful job drawing on theory, research, and evidence-based best practice and in creating a framework for professional development for educators. The sequencing of the learning experiences enable participants to build capacity as well as trust, focus on authentic learning projects, and communicate and share work.

http://plpnetwork.com/testimonials/build-capacity-trust/

Stephanie Bader, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

I am a better teacher, learner, and person because of what I was empowered to do this year. I became a true leader in a role I feel I was born to play and in my second year of teaching, no less.

2013-02-21T09:40:22+00:00

I am a better teacher, learner, and person because of what I was empowered to do this year. I became a true leader in a role I feel I was born to play and in my second year of teaching, no less.

Becky Bair, Elizabethtown Area School District, Pennsylvania

This has taught me more than any professional development day or conference I have ever been a part of. PLP taught me how to make effective changes in my classroom so I can meet the requirements of the tests I give and still provide my students with learning opportunities that will prepare them for their future experiences.

2013-02-21T09:41:23+00:00

This has taught me more than any professional development day or conference I have ever been a part of. PLP taught me how to make effective changes in my classroom so I can meet the requirements of the tests I give and still provide my students with learning opportunities that will prepare them for their future View Full →

Shelley Wright, Cornerstone Christian School, Saskatchewan

I am truly grateful to be part of the PLP community. It has been a huge source of encouragement and inspiration. Through the seminars and interactive community I have learned to completely shift my classroom from an overfocus on prescribed content, to a student-centred, project-based, tech embedded classroom.

2013-02-21T09:44:31+00:00

I am truly grateful to be part of the PLP community. It has been a huge source of encouragement and inspiration. Through the seminars and interactive community I have learned to completely shift my classroom from an overfocus on prescribed content, to a student-centred, project-based, tech embedded classroom.

Patti Grayson, Hampton Roads Academy, Virginia

PLP is a fantastic community of passionate learners. There is enormous support within the community, and a strong leadership through Sheryl, Will, and the community leaders. "PLPeeps" are there for one another through Twitter and other social media, providing information and encouragement.

2013-02-21T09:45:01+00:00

PLP is a fantastic community of passionate learners. There is enormous support within the community, and a strong leadership through Sheryl, Will, and the community leaders. “PLPeeps” are there for one another through Twitter and other social media, providing information and encouragement.

Christa Forster, The Kinkaid School, Texas

The PLP professional development model is so smart: It allows teachers to be true learners again. We encounter new information, skills and concepts related to how technology is contributing to the shift and shape of education.

2013-02-21T09:45:41+00:00

The PLP professional development model is so smart: It allows teachers to be true learners again. We encounter new information, skills and concepts related to how technology is contributing to the shift and shape of education.

Darren Kools, Kenner CVI, Ontario

Powerful Learning Practice is such a game changer. I try to share more, connect more and challenge myself to be better because of this program. My energy and excitement about teaching is at an all time high and it's not coming down.

2013-02-21T09:46:25+00:00

Powerful Learning Practice is such a game changer. I try to share more, connect more and challenge myself to be better because of this program. My energy and excitement about teaching is at an all time high and it’s not coming down.

http://plpnetwork.com/testimonials/darren-kools-kenner-cvi-ontario/

Allison Robertson, Bryan ISD, Texas

Dedicated, passionate people-many are right where I am in the process of learning to infuse technology into the classroom using an ever-changing landscape of tools. This learning community has been a lifeline to connect with others.

2013-02-21T09:47:05+00:00

Dedicated, passionate people-many are right where I am in the process of learning to infuse technology into the classroom using an ever-changing landscape of tools. This learning community has been a lifeline to connect with others.